For a sharp 8×10 inch print at 300 PPI you need 2400 × 3000 pixels (7.2 megapixels). Most modern phones and cameras clear this easily.
| Resolution | Pixels needed | Megapixels | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 PPI | 2400 × 3000 px | 7.2 MP | Excellent — close viewing |
| 200 PPI | 1600 × 2000 px | 3.2 MP | Good — normal distance |
| 150 PPI | 1200 × 1500 px | 1.8 MP | Acceptable — wall viewing |
The maths is print inches × PPI for each side: 8 in × 300 = 2400 px and 10 in × 300 = 3000 px, and 2400 × 3000 = 7,200,000 pixels = 7.2 megapixels.
8×10 has a 4:5 aspect ratio. Many cameras shoot 3:2 and most phones shoot 4:3, so a small crop from the long edges is normal when filling the whole sheet — leave a little headroom around your subject when you shoot. Because an 8×10 is usually viewed in the hand or on a desk, 300 PPI is worth aiming for if your file allows it.